Get a Jump on Planning for the New Year

 Via

 
It's a new year and I am sure glad it is. 2013 was ok with a lot of downs but also a lot of ups...like always. But a lot seems to be going right lately, so I have high hopes for the new year.

I thought about making resolutions, but that seems so cliché. I thought about making goals, but what it I do not meet them. I would feel like I failed, and I was looking to be positive for the new year. I thought about deciding on an overall theme for 2014. I liked that and kicked around with the wording. "Get It Together" was the front runner. But still that didn't feel exactly right. Then I thought to stick with what I know. I finally settled on making a list. You all know I am good at doing that! So when I had a rare quiet moment on New Years Day, I set down and reflected about the past and what I would like to accomplish in the future. So far this is what I came up with.

Via

1. Plan meals at least a week in advance.

2. Focus on one room each month and as time allows organize/decorate as needed.

3. Keep up with adding things to the family calendar in a timely manner, and actually make appointments far enough in advance that I can get the times that work for me.

4. Spend a few minutes each night tidying up since a little prevention goes a long way.

5. Work on getting the kids to take part in more chores. They are now upper elementary age and can do more things.

6. Actually go to the gym instead of just making a monthly donation. Remember that I always feel better after working out, if I can just make myself show up.

7. Take the time to unsubscribe from junk mail instead of just quickly deleting it from my inbox. Since I ordered on-line for Christmas to save time, I now must be on a lot of store email lists. I get almost 50 emails a day that are mostly ads. I am starting to lose track of the "real" email messages.

8. Go on more date nights with my husband.

9. Be in the moment with my children. They are growing up so fast.

10. Do the things on this list!

So that is my list. I think this will work for me as a good way to acknowledge the new year. I can always add to it as needed through out the year. Of course, the fun part will be crossing things off as I accomplish them.

What have you done for the start of the new year...resolutions, goals, nothing? What would you add to your list?

Via

Improve the House List

I mentioned here about the current state of my house. It's a mess. So I made a plan to improve the house. I hope to spend about 1-2 weeks on each room, but we will see...life has a nasty habit of getting in the way sometimes.

So this is the plan...

Boy's Room
-Clean up closet
-Tidy desk
-Identify out-grown clothing

Master Bedroom
-Get rid of piles of papers
-Order new TV stand
-Get accessories to decorate the room
-De-clutter the closets
-Find art for the room

Living Room
-Make slip covers for the couch and chairs

Mudroom
-Get rid of the clutter
-Designate space for everything
-Tidy up the kid's cubbies
-Organize toys/bags/sports equipment

Kitchen
-Make curtains
-Clean out cabinets
-Organize pantry
-Find designated place for mail and other paperwork
-Edit pencils and pens
-Clean out bins of paper

Dining Area
-Add new light fixture and buffet table

Family room
-De-clutter all toys
-Organize desk area
-Decide what board games are really played with
-Add any needed decorations
-Put pictures back up


Wow that is a long list! But I need to do it. I am keeping my focus on how great my house will look once I am done.  It will be so organize that I will know where everything is at all times! A girl can dream. I will keep everyone updated as I progress.

I can't wait to start checking off these boxes.

What rooms need improvement in your house?

Check out the link up at Not Just a Housewife, and I Heart Organizing.

Clean Up My House

Via

 

My house is officially a mess. Some of this is due to the formerly relaxed pace of summer and to the current hectic life that the start of school creates. But mostly it is due to laziness on my part! I let mail to be sorted stack up for a few days, put the kid's many toys in a corner of their room instead of the bins designated for them that are two floors down, or let laundry pile up because by the end of the day I am just tired.

 

But while in the short term this "putting it off till tomorrow" mentality gets me what I really need (i.e. sleep), in the long term I look around my cluttered, disorganized house and feel STRESS.

 

So I am making a list...did you expect anything else...detailing all the steps I need to do to get my house under control. My first impulse is to spend several days working round the clock and just get it done. But then I remember that I have work, kids activities, and sleep that I need to fit into my schedule, so I know I won't be able to give such a large chunk of my time. Also, I keep telling myself that Rome was not built in a day, and neither will my house be perfect in the same amount of time. I am putting the finishing touches on my plan and will share it with you tomorrow.

 

Via

 

Fill Up the Calender

Via

The lazy days of summer are over.

I am already starting to miss my favorite day on the calendar...

 

See how it is blissfully empty. Not one thing planned. It was a day for us just to do whatever we wanted.

Now that school has started, this is what a day on the calendar looks like.

Sigh.....

The craziness has begun.

For years I used a paper calendar that was small enough to fit in my purse. I still prefer this method. But as the kids got older, and the schedules got more jammed packed, I needed other people (namely my husband and possibly a babysitter) to also have access to the calendar.

So I switch to an online version. Currently, I use the free version of www.keepandshare.com. It works very well for me. I can easily add events that repeat on the calendar, and I can color code each person to keep it all organized. I also like that when my husband is making his own plans, he can easily look up the calendar on the website and see if it works into the family schedule. It was a great improvement  in our household to at least attempt to tame some of the craziness.

And confession...I do still print it out on paper monthly and hang it on the refrigerator. Old habits are hard to break.

What form of calendar do you use?

Check up the link up on Serenity Now

List of Ideas From the Web

School is starting soon, so we are starting out early Saturday morning to shop for supplies. Enjoy your weekend.

Via

 

 Here is a list of ideas for improvements from around the web....

 

You could get very creative with this.

 

Learn how to understand yourself a little better here.

 

This tells you all you ever needed to know.

 

A fun way to end the summer.

 





List of Ideas

This weekend I have on my list a few projects I need to finish up. Then it is off to a day at the beach. We need to enjoy the last few days of summer!

Hasfit

 

 

 



Here is a list of ideas for improvements from around the web....


What a great idea to label drawers.

I tried this with my shoes, and it really worked.

Both my husband and my sons would love this.

I have dreams that my pantry looked like this.

This laundry room redo just blew me away. Amazing the improvement that was made with mostly paint. 


Hope you have a good weekend!

Make a list

I like to make lists.

I keep a list of projects I need to complete at work, and another of things that need finished at home. Also, I often start out my Saturday with a list of errands that needs to get done.

Clean Mama

I do it because with work and family, I often have many things to keep track of. It helps me remember things. It is a bit like writing out a plan, and noting the steps to complete it. That way I am sure that everything that needs to be done is accomplished.

But the real reason I think I make lists...

I like the satisfaction of crossing things off the list. I am guilty of writing things down on my list even though it will be finished in a short time anyway. It just feels good to finish a task...and draw a line through it.

Mamma Gab

Now since I often have many lists going on at once, I have tried electronic versions, but it never seems to be convenient for me. I should probably improve my lists by writing them on pretty stationary.

Kate Spade



But normally, I go back to my old stand-by..